Joining area for two parts that are tightly assembled but detachable from each other, in particular on a container for collecting contaminated liquids such as liquid dielectric of a transformer

ABSTRACT

On a container for collecting contaminated liquids which has container walls surrounding the base of the container or on a collecting vat for liquid dielectric of a transformer, at least one detachable container part being joined to the collecting container in a liquid tight manner, or at a joining area for two parts that are tightly assembled but detachable from each other, at least one monitoring chamber ( 46 ) is provided between the parts ( 56, 58 ) that are tightly assembled. The monitoring chamber ( 46 ) is connected to a current source at one end and to pressure monitoring device at the other end. The detachable container part ( 58 ) should be joined to a section ( 56 ) of the collecting container so as to form at least one chamber-like hollow ( 46 ). The hollow which serves as a monitoring chamber is tightly bordered by scaling elements ( 60   c ) and by the surface of the detachable container part and by the surface of each section of the collecting tank which run between the sealing elements.

The invention concerns a monitoring system for two parts which aresealingly associated with each other and releasable from each other, asset forth in the classifying portion of the first claim.

DE 41 37 632 C1 discloses a catch pan or vat of steel sheet, from thebottom of which three welded side walls stand up. The fourth side wallis composed of two wall panels which define a cavity—with edge flanges,adjoining side walls and their own angle portions—and which are screwedwith the interposition of seals at the joins between the wall parts; thescrews can pass through the seals and compress them, sealing the cavity.The outer wall panel is provided with a connecting portion for a flowmedium, for example water or compressed air. When the latter fills thecavity, it is possible for example by using soap in the sealing regionsto carry out a test to ascertain whether the releasable side wall isgas-tightly or liquid-tightly integrated into the catch pan.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,420,970 discloses a monitoring system with a disk-shapedinsulating element disposed between end flanges of metal tubes: theinsulating element is provided towards the two end flanges with arespective annular groove for receiving a pair of O-rings. That annulargroove forms a cavity which is defined by the O-rings and which isconnected to a radial bore by means of a passage parallel to the axis ofthe tubes. The radial bore is closed by a screw and after removalthereof serves for leakage draining.

The specification of DE 92 02 421 U describes a catch pan or tank withguide profiles associated with the pan bottom at the inside thereof, forthe transformer which is on rails in the transformer casing in order tosimplify introducing or replacing the transformer or in order tocompensate for differences between the bottom of the casing and thesurface of the ground surrounding the station. In such previously knowncatch pans, the spacing of the guide profiles from each othercorresponds to the spacing of the rails in the building, which, when thecatch pan is introduced into the building, can serve as support elementsfor the catch pan which then rests on them. That is intended inparticular to permit already existing buildings to be subsequentlyequipped with such an arrangement. The front wall of the catch pan isremovable and is liquid-tightly screwed to an abutment rim of the catchpan, with the interposition of a sealing strip.

Catch pans of that kind comprising steel with a safety flange haveproven their worth in particular in the renovation and refurbishment ofold transformer station buildings with pan-less transformers. However,such catch pans with a flange are generally not allowed for use inground water preservation areas as it is not possible to check andmonitor the seal over a prolonged service life; the seal is subject toservice demands and loading only in an accident or damage situation.that is to say under some circumstances after decades.

The “Anforderungen an Auffangwannen aus Stahl . . . ” (translation:Demands on catch pans of steel . . . ) of the LanderarbeitsgemeinschaftWasser (LAWA) (translation: Regional Water Association) of Jun. 22, 1992(GABL. 1992, pages 583-587) mention liquid-tight components of steel forreceiving and retaining substances such as to endanger water, whichinter alia must be so designed that the underneath can be checked forcorrosion and the individual parts of which must be welded; screwconnections with seals are not permissible beneath the maximum possiblelevel of liquid in the catch pan.

In consideration of that state of the art the inventor set himself theaim of improving the design structure of containers or catch pans ofthat kind and permitting the use of pan parts which can be separated orreleased—while affording sealing integrity—without limitation. Inaddition the invention seeks to provide a connecting system whichaffords sealing integrity and which can be used even with other pairingsto be connected of apparatus parts.

That object is attained by the teaching of the independent claim: theappendant claims set forth desirable configurations.

In accordance with the invention there are provided at least two sealingprofiles which are disposed at a spacing in succession in the possibleflow path for container content and the monitoring chamber is connectedto a pressure monitoring device. This system according to the inventionalso makes it possible to provide for continuity testing in respect of aplurality of successively coupled sealing regions.

The monitoring chamber disposed in the notional flow path of issuingcontainer or pan contents is filled with a flow medium, preferably witha monitoring liquid which can be easily monitored by visual control inthe event of undesired escape from the test space or however with a gas;the filling of the test space or the monitoring chamber can be monitoredin respect of pressure by suitable measuring devices and thus leakagescan be detected.

Although seals of the most widely varying configurations, that is to sayalso adhesive seals, can be utilized for the use according to theinvention, the above-mentioned sealing profiles which are disposed inthe possible flow path, in particular two thereof, disposed at a spacingin succession, have proven to be desirable. A screw bolt or the likeconnecting member is to pass through ones of those sealing profiles—oralso both—, the screw bolt or the like connecting member connecting thereleasable part of the container and the portion of the catch container,which is associated with the monitoring chamber. If only one of thesealing profiles is affected by the screw bolt or like connectingmember, the other is pressed by an end edge of the catch containeragainst the releasable part of the container.

It is also possible for each of the sealing profiles to be sealinglyheld between two surfaces of the container part or the catch container,said surfaces being parallel and being brought together by a screwconnection.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention both sealingprofiles which are disposed at a spacing in succession in the possibleflow path for the container content can be respectively held in clampingrelationship by an end edge, namely the one by an end edge of thereleasable container part and the other by an end edge of the catchcontainer; in that case, the respective other counterpart member servesas a support means, that is to say for example the catch containerserves as the support means for the sealing profile which is contactedby the end edge of the releasable container part.

Moreover that end edge is formed by the edge of a hook strip beingangled through more than 90° out of the surface of the releasable partor the abutment portion of the catch container.

An advantageous configuration of the connecting region for forming themonitoring chamber according to the invention is distinguished in thatthe hook bar has a clamping profile engaging thereover, and is fixedthereby to the respective other counterpart member of the connection.That clamping profile can be held at a spacing from the surface of itscounterpart fixing member by a support leg at one side, and can beconnected to the counterpart member by at least one screw connection:that arrangement thus affords a fixing for the hook bar, which has aresilient take-up effect. In this case the releasable container part orflange cover is pressed in position by virtue of the clamping profile bymeans of screwthreaded pins or studs which are welded in place outsidethe sealing arrangement, so that the sealing profile itself can be usedwithout a hole therein.

In accordance with the invention the sealing profile can be in the formof a round profile or a sealing cord; the two round profiles are held ata spacing in pair-wise relationship with each other by a for examplechannel-like intermediate profile member, comprising a material such asto ensure that the spacing between the round profiles is maintained. Onthe outside the round profiles each bear against a clamping profilewhich is preferably curved or bent in an L-shape and held by a screwbolt to the pan.

Overall it has proven desirable for the fixing regions of the twocounterpart members for producing the gap which contains the monitoringchamber and which accommodates the sealing profiles to be of such aconfiguration that both the releasable container part and also theportion of the catch container in the connecting region is doubly bent,forming a respective connecting surface or a side surface respectivelyand, adjoining same, a flank surface and an abutment strip portion; theflank surface and the side surface are to delimit the monitoring chamberor the test space—being disposed approximately parallel at a spacingrelative to each other.

Instead of a pair of sealing profiles, it is also possible in accordancewith the invention to use only one single sealing strip of greaterwidth; it is inserted in the connecting region between parallel surfacesof the releasable container part and the associated portion of the catchcontainer; formed in its two surfaces is at least one groove which issealingly closed by the part, which extends over same, of the connectingregion, relative to the monitoring chamber.

In an embodiment of the sealing strip portion extending on eachrespective side of its longitudinal axis in a surface is at least onerespective groove which is connected to a corresponding groove in theother strip portion surface by at least one opening to form acommunicating monitoring system. In that respect, the bottom width ofthe groove which is of trapezoidal cross-section—with an angle ofinclination of the walls thereof of about 45°—is to correspond toapproximately a tenth to a quarter of the width of the sealing stripportion, that is to say it is to measure for example 5 mm. In this casescrew elements pass through the sealing strip portion on itslongitudinal axis, and outside the grooves; the above-mentionedcommunicating monitoring systems are disposed—in mutually separatedrelationship—at both sides of the screw region.

Another sealing strip portion according to the invention affords at eachof its surfaces a groove which occupies almost the entire width thereofand from the groove bottom of which shaped portions project upwardly atopenings for the screw bolts; the shaped portions define in terms ofcross-section with the groove walls groove passages which extend thegroove in parallel relationship with the longitudinal axis thereof. Inaddition the surfaces of the shaped portions are to be aligned with thesurface of the sealing strip portion in order to ensure sealingintegrity in respect of the above-mentioned openings.

Advantageously, an opening is to be provided between two shaped portionsand near a groove wall, which opening connects the two grooves of thesealing strip portion together and thus provides a unitary monitoringchamber.

In order to be able to fit the above-mentioned monitoring devices, abore is to be associated with at least one of those connecting openingsin the sealing strip portion, the bore being disposed in the adjacentregion of the catch container.

An embodiment of the sealing profile which has proven to be desirable,is one which comprises two round profiles connected by a web; here eachof the sides of the web defines a monitoring chamber which on the otherhand is spanned by a fitted part—for example a concrete wall.

Preferred in this case are two hollow elongate portions or profiles ofelastic material, which are connected by an intermediate web integrallyformed thereon.

Sealing profiles according to the invention can be prolonged by adhesivejoins. To provide for monitoring sealing integrity thereof, it ispossible to provide in the adhesive zone an opening which connects bothprofile surfaces and which preferably extends in the region of a pair ofgrooves with a common central axis.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, inserted betweentwo mutually associated plate-like parts is a sealing strip with acontinuous groove-like opening or a series or row of polygonal or roundopenings, and associated with the openings is at least one channel-likebottom bead or ridge of the plate-like part or parts, wherein thechannel space is open to the opening or openings and defines themonitoring chamber. An intermediate bottom portion or a grid insert canextend through such a sealing strip.

Also in accordance with the invention is a plate-like sealing disk withat least one annular groove and/or a ring-like arrangement of round orpolygonal openings.

The sealing disk may additionally have a central opening which is ofsignificance in particular when there is associated with the sealingdisk, at least at one side, a flange of a hollow profile, the hollowspace or cavity of which then connects to the central opening.

In addition plate pairings of general kind can be connected with theinterposition of the sealing disk; in this respect, it is possible forthe sealing disk and the plates to be assembled by a two-part nut-likeinsert which passes through the central opening. A part of the nut-likeinsert preferably engages with a screwthreaded collar into ascrewthreaded groove defined by a screwthreaded collar on the otherpart.

The invention also includes the possibility of assembling containers—forexample a catch pan—from a plurality of overlapping parts; then,disposed in the overlap region are the monitoring chambers, preferablyin the form of a configuration formed in one of the container bottoms orsides. It is also possible with the connecting region according to theinvention for two adjacent containers—for example catch pans—to besealingly connected together to constitute a unit.

It is also an aspect of significance that the monitoring chamber or thetest space, in the event of a loss of sealing integrity, can be filledwith a sealing spray which restores sealing integrity—similarly to atire repair set.

If checking of sealing integrity is implemented by way of a reducedpressure, it has proven to be desirable to implement an emergencysealing function by means of an increase in the reduced pressure and theenhancement, which is involved therewith, of the contact pressureapplied to the seal.

To increase the catch surface area, it is also possible to connect to atleast one wall of the catch container a run-in surface which is fittedonto the edge of the container at an angle of inclination of for example40°. That run-in surface is to be provided, outside the edge of thecontainer. with a side edge and—for fixing to the edge of thecontainer—with an end angle configuration. A support profile between thewall of the catch container and the run-in surface secures it inposition.

By virtue of fitment plates of that kind or in another simple manner,the invention affords the possibility of producing a larger pan or vatsystem from a plurality of pan or vat portions. In that case, seals aredisposed beneath the maximum filling level.

As stated, protection is also sought separately for the above-discussedfeatures when they are used in areas other than that of a catch pan orvat for transformer liquid, for example in connection with a use onpressure containers or vessels, as are to be found in connection withso-called SF6-switching installations.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will beapparent from the following description of preferred embodiments andwith reference to the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a catch pan or vat for contaminatingliquid, in particular for insulating liquid of a transformer of theenergy industry.

FIGS. 2 through 4 are views in cross-section on an enlarged scale incomparison with FIG. 1 taken along line II-IV through differentconfigurations of the connection of a separate wall of the catch pan,

FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, 10 show two other embodiments of connections ofseparate wall parts with strip-like sealing elements shown ascross-sections through portions of the catch pan, in sectionapproximately along line V—V and VII—VII in FIG. 6 and along lineVIII—VIII and X—X in FIG. 9.

FIGS. 6 and 9 each show a plan view of the sealing element shown incross-section in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, 10 respectively.

FIGS. 11, 13, 15, 17, 18 each show a cross-section through otherembodiments of two respective wall parts with interposed sealingelement,

FIG. 12 is a view in cross-section through a catch pan,

FIGS. 14 and 16 each show a view in cross-section through the sealingelements of FIGS. 13 and 15 respectively,

FIG. 19 is a partial view in cross-section through two catch pans whichare connected together,

FIG. 20A is perspective view of a catch pan, with FIGS. 20B and 20Cshowing associated views on an enlarged scale of portions thereof,

FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of a detail of a catch pan,

FIG. 22 shows a perspective view of a sealing element,

FIG. 23 shows a perspective view of two portions of a catch pan,

FIG. 24 is a diagrammatic view relating to a sealing element in aconcrete join in connection with a catch pan,

FIG. 25 is a view on an enlarged scale of a portion from FIG. 24,

FIG. 26 is a plan view of a sealing element as shown in FIG. 25 withassociated cross-section on an enlarged scale,

FIG. 27 shows another cross-sectional configuration of the sealingelement of FIG. 26,

FIG. 28 shows a plan view of a band-like sealing element with adhesivejoin between two parts of the sealing element,

FIG. 29 shows a view in cross-section through the sealing element ofFIG. 28 taken along line XXIX—XXIX.

FIG. 30 shows side views of three sealing elements with differentconfigurations in respect of the adhesive join thereof,

FIGS. 31 and 32 show two partial longitudinal sections through catchpans comprising pan parts which are in mutually overlapping relationshipand which are glued to each other,

FIGS. 33 and 34 show perspective views of different adhesive or sealingregions,

FIGS. 35 through 40 show perspective views of sealing strip portions ofdifferent configurations,

FIGS. 41 and 42 show views in cross-section through different sealingstrip portions,

FIGS. 43, 44 and 49 show perspective views of respective sealing disks.

FIG. 45 shows a sectional view of an example of use in relation to FIG.44,

FIGS. 46 and 48 show perspective views of other uses,

FIGS. 47 and 50 are sections of the structures shown in FIGS. 46 and 48respectively,

FIG. 51 is a perspective view of a further use,

FIG. 52 is a view in section through FIG. 51 and

FIGS. 53 and 54 show two plan views of sealing disks with test passages.

A catch vat or pan 10 of metal, in particular steel, for insulatingliquids, which can be seen in FIG. 1, serves in particular for use intransformer stations—not shown in the drawing for the sake of enhancedclarity—with so-called transformer rails extending at a spacing relativeto the bottom of the housing thereof: the rails form carriers for atransformer and usually rest on mounting profile members. The latter aredisposed on the longitudinal walls of the transformer station.

The dimensions of the catch pan 10 are adapted to the respectivecircumstances involved. Thus for example the length a of the catch pan10 for a 630 kVa transformer can be 1800 mm, with a width b of about1200 mm and a height h of 350 mm, from which its volume is calculated asbeing about 0.71 m³. That is sufficient to collect and retainundesirably escaping transformer oil.

A rear wall 14 and two lateral pan walls 16—each being angled over inFIG. 1—project upwardly from the pan bottom 12 comprising steel sheet ofa thickness of about 2 mm. The front wall 18 is liquid-tightly screwedto an abutment surface of the pan bottom 12 or the pan or side walls 16,with the interposition of sealing elements which are still to bedescribed hereinafter.

Near the corners 20 of the pan. grounding points 24 are fitted onto anangled-over edge 22 of the pan walls 16. The grounding points 24 canserve upon transportation as anchorage points for clamping bands orbelts or the like.

Extending parallel to the front wall 18 of the catch pan 10 on the panbottom 12 are two spacer rails 26 as a support for two upwardly openchannel profiles 28 which terminate at a spacing relative to the rearwall 14 of the catch pan 10. The channel profiles 28 serving as guiderails accommodate rollers of the transformer which are secured laterallyin position by the limbs of the channel profiles 28;their—adjustable—center-to-center spacing e from each other thereforecorresponds to the transverse spacing of the rollers.

FIGS. 2 through 4 show embodiments of the connection of the front wall18 to the pan wall 16; formed out of the plane E of the pan wall 16 isan abutment surface 30 of a length i, which is parallel to the frontwall 18. an adjoining flank surface 32 which is parallel in FIGS. 2 and3 to the pan wall 16, and an end hooking bar 34. The flank surface 32_(a) of the structure shown in FIG. 4 is angled towards the plane E andits hook bar 34 _(a) of a length i₁ is disposed parallel to the abutmentsurface 30, whereas the hook bar 34 in FIGS. 2 and 3 faces through about45° towards the interior of the catch pan.

A side surface 36 is bent at a right angle out of the plane Q of thefront wall 18 and bent out of the side surface 36 in FIGS. 2 and 4 is anabutment strip 38 which is parallel to the plane Q and which, in theposition of installation, is connected to the abutment surface 30, whichis also parallel thereto, of the side wall 16, by a screw bolt or stud42 which is welded in place at one end, with the interposition of asealing profile 40 of rectangular cross-section; at the outside surfaceof the abutment strip 38, the bolt 42 carries a screw nut 44 with washer43.

The flank surface 32 of the pan wall 16, which is disposed at aninternal spacing n relative to the side surface 36 of the front wall 18,with its pressure edge 33 which is formed by the angled configuration ofthe hook bar 34, presses a further sealing profile 40 _(a) against theinside surface 19 of the front wall 18. That affords a sealed chamber 46which is disposed in the notional flow path x (FIG. 2) of an issuingliquid and which is delimited by the two sealing profiles 40, 40 _(a)and the flank surface 32 with the side surface 36; the chamber 46 is ofalmost rectangular cross-section of the above-mentioned width n with aheight f which approximately corresponds to the cross-sectional lengthof the flank surface 32. The pair of sealing profiles 40, 40 _(a) alsoresults in a doubled safeguard against leakage.

The chamber 46 is filled with a flow medium 48 and thus represents atest or monitoring chamber. The flow medium can be a monitoring liquidor a gas whose increased pressure is monitored.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 the side surface 36 of the front wall18 terminates at a pressure edge 33 which forms a transition into anangularly bent hook bar 34. The pressure edge 33 presses the sealingprofile 40—which is used here without openings required due to screwbolts 42—against the abutment surface 30, and the hook bar 34 serves asa support means for an end hook 50 of a separate clamping profile 52which is of a continuous configuration or which is used in the form ofportions and which bears with a support or longitudinal web 54 againstthe inside surface 19 of the front wall 18 and is pulled towards theinside surface 19 by the screw bolt or stud 42 or the screw nut 44thereon. A spring action is created in that arrangement.

Such a clamping profile 52—which is held by a screw bolt or study 42 tothe inside surface 19 of the front wall 18—engages with its end hook 50behind the hook bar 34 of the flank surface 32. The described connectinglocation between the pan wall 16 and the front wall 18 affords, on bothsides of the monitoring chamber, mutually opposite symmetry in respectof its essential holding elements 33, 34, 40, 42, 50, 52.

The FIG. 4 structure does not have the pressing edge 33; here, the twosealing profiles 40, 40 _(a) are loaded in surface contact at bothsides. The connection of the abutment strip 38—which is here providedwith an edge strip 39 which is parallel to the plane E and which engagesin protecting relationship over the sealing profile 40—to the abutmentsurface 30 corresponds to that shown in FIG. 2. At the other end of themonitoring chamber 46 the second sealing profile 40 _(a) is pressed inprotecting relationship by the hook bar 34 _(a), which extends parallelto the inside surface 19 of the front wall 18, of the inclined flanksurface 32 _(a), against the inside surface 19; the hook bar 34 _(a)carries a screw bolt or stud 42 which passes through the front wall 18.

The connecting structures described in relation to the front wall 18 andthe pan wall 16 can also be provided between other pan parts, forexample between a pan wall 16 and the rear wall 14 or the pan bottom 12and one of the wall elements 14, 16, 18 surrounding same.

A further configuration of a liquid-tight connection is shown in FIGS. 5through 7; inserted between two parallel wall parts 56, 58, into a gap57 defined thereby, is a sealing strip portion 60 of a thickness q;screw bolts or studs 42 welded to the outside of the wall part 30 passthrough the sealing strip portion 60. Formed in the two surfaces 62 ofthe sealing strip portion 60 is a respective pair of parallel grooves 64of a depth q_(i), wherein each groove 64 extends at one side of thelongitudinal axis A of the strip portion; the spacings k thereofrelative to the grooves 64 are the same at both surfaces, as thespacings m of the grooves 64 relative to the longitudinal edges of thestrip portion. The bottom width t of the deepest part of the groove 64which is of trapezoidal cross-section approximately corresponds to onetenth of the width g of the strip portion, and the groove wall angle wis about 45°. Those grooves 64, with the wall part 56 and 58respectively covering them over, each form a respective monitoringchamber 46 of the kind described with reference to FIGS. 2 through 4.

The respective grooves 64 which are disposed in mutually superposedrelationship on a respective side of the longitudinal axis arecommunicated by means of bore-type openings 66 and in the position ofinstallation as shown in FIG. 7 they align with bores 68 in the abutmentsurface 30: the openings 66 create a unitary monitoring chamber 46comprising two grooves 64 and the bores 68 make the monitoring chamberaccessible from the exterior for filling and monitoring purposes.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 through 10 the sealing strip portion60 _(a) has in each surface 62 a single groove 64 _(a) whose bottomwidth t₁, of for example 27 mm, is larger than half the strip portionwidth g of here about 45 mm.

Within the groove 64 _(a) disk-shaped portions 72 project island-likeupwardly from the groove bottom 70, the shaped portions 72 having aperipheral edge 73 which is of a part-circular configuration in theaxial direction, while the surface 62 _(a) thereof is aligned with thesurface 62 of the strip portion. The peripheral edges 73 blend into sidewalls 74 which are parallel to the axis and which define groove passages65 as part of the wide groove 64 _(a); the cross-section of the groovepassages 65 corresponds to that of the grooves 64 in FIGS. 5 through 7.

The shaped portions 72 embrace openings 76 for the screw bolts or studs42 and seal them off with respect to the monitoring chamber 46 which isformed by the groove 64 _(a) and the respective wall portion 56 and 58disposed in spanning relationship. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, leadingtherefrom is a bore 68 in the wall part, which bore is disposed betweentwo of the shaped portions 72 and near one of the outer groove walls 78.

FIG. 11 shows between the wall parts 56, 58 two sealing profiles 41 ofround cross-section of a diameter d, which are held at a spacing f₁ fromeach other by a channel-like intermediate profile 55 which is secured tothe wall part 56; the sealing profiles 41, together with the adjoiningoutside surfaces of the wall parts 56, 58, define the monitoring chamber46. Bearing against each of the round sealing profiles 41 at the outwardside thereof is a respective clamping profile 53 which is of L-shapedcross-sectional configuration and through which passes a screw bolt orstud 42.

As FIG. 12 shows, in which the spacer rails 26 together with the channelprofiles 28 are not illustrated, a run-in plate 80 with a side wall 81can be fitted onto the edge 22 of the catch pan 10; the run-in plate 80increases the catch area of the catch pan 10. The run-in plate 80extends at an inclined angle z of about 40° relative to the horizontaledge 22 of the catch pan wall 16 and is fixed thereto by an end angleportion 83 which is bent out of the bottom 82 of the run-in plate 80,and is also supported against the pan wall 16 by means of a sheet metalrib 84 which is welded to the bottom 82 and which is parallel to theedge 22.

The configuration of the seal in FIGS. 13 and 14 approximatelycorresponds in cross-section to that shown in FIG. 5; in this case alsoa sealing strip portion 60 _(b) of a thickness q extends between twoparallel wall parts 56, 58 which are directed horizontally orvertically; a screw bolt or stud 42 passes through the sealing stripportion 60 _(b). In the connecting region, the wall part 56 is shaped toafford a channel-like portion 56 _(a) of a height s of 45 mm and a widths₁ of 60 mm, and is provided with an additional U-shaped profile portion86. A further additional profile portion 86 _(a) bears on the wall part58.

Formed in both surfaces of the sealing strip portion 60 _(b) of athickness q in this case of 5 mm is a respective groove 64 _(b) of adepth q₁ of 2 mm; the two grooves 64 _(b) are aligned with each other interms of cross-section on a common axis G and are separated by a thinbottom. The axis G extends at a radial spacing c relative to the axis Mof the screw bolt or stud. The grooves 64 _(b) form the test ormonitoring chambers 46 and serve to monitor sealing integrity: each testchamber 46 provides for monitoring one of the sealing surfaces. Thegrooves 64 _(b) are connected—not shown herein—at one end to a flowmedium source—for example a compressor—and at the other end to apressure measuring device; a detected pressure drop indicates leakage.

In the embodiment of the sealing strip portion 60 _(c) of the thicknessq as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 the two grooves 64 _(c) of the depth q₁ of3 mm are disposed in respect of cross-section in side-by-siderelationship, that is to say their cross-sectional axes Q are disposedin mutually parallel spaced relationship. That arrangement makes itpossible to adopt a smaller thickness q of 4 mm. An interruption in themonitoring or test chamber 46 by virtue of the sealing strip portion 60_(c) being excessively firmly compressed is avoided here in aparticularly good fashion. This also applies in regard to the sealingstrip portions 60 _(d) in FIGS. 17 and 18 which—in comparison withsealing strips 60 _(b), 60 _(c) of smaller thickness q—extend at oneside of the screw bolt or stud 42 in the gap 47; they also include inside-by-side relationship pairs of grooves 64 _(c). As shown in FIG. 18a round seal 41 _(a) can be arranged at the bolt or stud side which isin opposite relationship to the sealing strip portion 60 _(c).

FIG. 19 shows two catch pans 10, of which the left-hand one provides theabove-described channel-like portion 56 _(a) whereas the other isprovided with a channel portion 56 _(b) of opposite configuration; herethe sealing element 60 _(c) is disposed between the respective, parallelend portions 59 of the channel portions 56 _(a), 56 _(b).

FIGS. 20A, 20B and 20C are intended to make it clear that each of thetwo monitoring or test chambers 46 is accessible by way of connectingplugs 88. FIGS. 21 and 22 show the openings 90 which are conducive forthe connection of the monitoring or test chambers 46.

FIG. 23 shows the connection of an air pump as a pressure-generatingmeans 92 by means of an adapter hose 94 which includes a non-returnvalve 93. A pressure display 96 is connected on the other side. When thepressure-generating means 92 is actuated, an increased pressure ofbetween about 1.0 and 2.0 bars is created in the monitoring chamber 46to be tested. If the pressure loss is less than 0.1 bar in 15 minutes,the sealing integrity is successful.

FIGS. 24 through 27 show a seal 98 with two monitoring chambers 46 _(a)in concrete joins 100. For that purpose, either two round sealingprofiles 41 _(b) are fitted onto a sheet metal carrier 102 or aone-piece sealing strip portion 98 _(a) with two hollow elongateportions 104 and a web 105 joining them is formed. The internal spaces106 of the hollow portions 104 can be subsequently provided with afilling medium in order to enhance sealing integrity.

As shown in FIG. 24 such seals 98, 98 _(a) are suitable in particularfor joins 100 in connection with catch pans 10.

If it is necessary to glue portions of a seal, testing of the sealingintegrity of the assembly is required in the region of the adhesivejoin. In the case of the sealing profile 40 _(b) shown in FIGS. 28 and29, which is composed of two parts 40′ and 40″ at the adhesive join 108,complete testing of the condition of the adhesive join is to be madepossible. For that purpose, in the region of a pair of grooves 64 _(b),which is separated by a web 110, the pair of grooves is connected by anopening 66 _(a). When the one end of the pair of grooves which iscovered over on both sides by adjoining surfaces and which formschambers is connected to an air source 92 and the other end of the pairof grooves is connected to a pressure measuring device 96, a pressuredrop detects defects in the adhesive join 108.

FIG. 30 shows side views of three sealing profiles 40 _(b) with adhesivejoins 108, 108 _(a), 108 _(b) which are of different cross-sectionalconfigurations—a straight butt join, an inclined butt join and a doublyinclined butt join: the webs 110 which extend between the grooves 64_(b) are indicated in broken line.

In a manner corresponding to the above-discussed embodiments of seals,it is possible for example for adhesive locations 112—shown in FIGS. 31and 32—of pan parts 10 _(a), 10 _(b) formed from plastic material to beafforded in an overlapping join region 114 of the length u. Themonitoring chamber 46 _(b) respectively associated with the adhesivelocation 112 is formed in FIG. 31 by a bottom bead or ridge 13 while themonitoring chamber 46 _(c) in FIG. 32 is formed in a groove-likeconfiguration in the pan bottom 12.

FIGS. 33 through 36 show embodiments with interposed sealing stripportions 60 _(a), they are provided with additional polygonal openings116 —which are here trapezoidal in plan view—, at least one circularopening 116 _(a) and/or longitudinal grooves 116 _(b), as can be seenfrom FIGS. 35 through 38. A longitudinal groove 116 _(b) with recesses117 extending therefrom and an inserted intermediate bottom 118 in thesealing element 60 _(f) is indicated in FIG. 38, while FIGS. 39 and 40show a longitudinal groove 116 _(b) with a grid or grating engagingtherethrough as part of a grid or grating insert 119 in sealing elements60 _(g).

FIGS. 41 and 42 show an overview of cross-sectional shapes of sealingstrip portions 60 _(b) and 60 _(c), wherein one groove of those pairs ofgrooves 60 _(b), 60 _(c) can serve in each case for pressure relief.

FIG. 43 shows a sealing disk 63 of circular configuration in plan, whichis provided with a central opening 76 _(a) and an annular groove 120. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 44, instead of the annular groove 120, amultiplicity of polygonal or trapezoidal openings 116 is arranged in aring 120 _(a); the latter is surrounded by bore-like openings 116 _(a).

Referring to FIG. 45, the sealing disk 63 is inserted between twoflanges 122 of two tubes 124, while as shown in FIGS. 46 and 47 it isfitted between two plates 128 each carrying a respective attachmentportion 126. The plates 128 are disposed in FIG. 48 at a spacingrelative to each other on a tube 124. This is shown in section in FIG.51 in order more clearly to show the association of the flanges 122 andthe sealing disks 63. The latter can be seen in a perspective view withits annular groove 120 in FIG. 49.

FIGS. 51 and 52 show two plates 128 with central openings for nut-likeinserts 130, 130 _(a). One insert 130 engages with a screwthreadedcollar 132 into a screwthreaded groove 136 in the other insert 130 _(a)which in turn is delimited by a screwthreaded collar 134. The mutuallyinterengaging inserts 130, 130 _(a) hold the plates 128 together withthe interposition of a sealing disk 63.

Finally a further test system is to be set forth with reference tosealing disks 63 a in FIGS. 53 and 54. Two finite or limited testpassages 140, 141 and the above-mentioned openings 116 _(a) arerespectively formed in those sealing disks 63 a, between the centralopening 76 _(a) and the peripheral edge 138 of the respective disk; theopenings 116 _(a) are respectively arranged on a circular contour, inFIG. 52 near the peripheral edge 138 of the respective disk and in FIG.53 between the central opening 76 _(a) and the inner one of the two testpassages 140, 141.

Each test passage 140, 141 has an outwardly disposed part-circularportion 142 of a radius r and an inwardly disposed part-circular portion142 _(i) of the shorter radius r₁, which each extend over an angle atthe center, as indicated at y, of about 160°. At one side those twopartcircular portions 142, 142 _(i) of the test passage 140 or 141 areconnected by an inclined portion 143 and at the other side the twopassage ends 144, 144 _(i) and 145, 145 _(i) respectively are sodisposed at a spacing relative to each other that the inclined portion143 of the other test passage 141 or 140—which is of the sameconfiguration—can extend therebetween.

An increased pressure is built up in the test space P₁ between thepassage ends 144 and 144 _(i), for the testing operation; the test spaceP₂ between 145 and 145 _(i) is open. If there is a communication betweenthe test spaces P₁, P₂, no increased pressure is produced in the testspace P₁.

Transiting of P₂ can be ensured by a flow between the passage ends 145,145 _(i).

To test the other segment, an increased pressure is built up in the testspace P₂. The test space P₁ is open. In this case also, no pressure isproduced when there is a communication between the test spaces P₁, P₂.

What is claimed is:
 1. A monitoring system, which comprises: a containerfor liquids having at least one cavity connected to at least one flowpath and sealingly defined by sealing elements; two parts on saidcontainer which are sealingly associated with each other but releasablefrom each other comprising said container having side walls surroundinga container bottom and at least one releasable container part releasablysealingly connected to at least one container wall; wherein the cavityis adapted to be connectable as a monitoring chamber to a flow mediumand fillable with the flow medium; wherein there are provided at leasttwo of said sealing elements which are disposed spaced apart from eachother in succession in the flow path for the container contents and saidcavity is connectable to a pressure medium; and wherein each of thesealing elements is sealingly held between surfaces of the releasablecontainer part and at least one side wall.
 2. A monitoring systemaccording to claim 1, wherein a connecting member passes through atleast one of the sealing elements, wherein the connecting memberconnects the releasable container part and said side wall.
 3. Amonitoring system according to claim 1, wherein one of the sealingelements is pressed against the releasable container part by an end edgeof a side wall.
 4. A monitoring system according to claim 1, whereinsaid surfaces are parallel and moved together by a screw connection. 5.A monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein one of said sealingelements is held by an end edge of the releasable container part and theother by an end edge of said side wall.
 6. A monitoring system accordingto claim 3, wherein an end edge is formed on a hook bar which is bentout of one of a surface of a side wall and a surface of the releasablecontainer part.
 7. A monitoring system according to claim 6, including aclamping profile engaging over the hook bar, said hook bar being fixedthereby to one of the side wall and releasable container part.
 8. Amonitoring system according to claim 7, wherein the clamping profile isheld by a support leg at one side connected to one of said side wall andreleasable container part at a spacing from the other of said side walland releasable container part by at least one screw connection.
 9. Amonitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the sealing elements areround profiles which are held in a pair-wise manner at a spacingrelative to each other by an intermediate profile of hard material. 10.A monitoring system according to claim 9, wherein the intermediateprofile is of a channel-shaped configuration and bears against saidround profiles.
 11. A monitoring system according to claim 9, whereintwo round profiles are each applied to a clamping profile having anL-shaped cross-sectional configuration through which passes a screw boltor stud.
 12. A monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein saidsealing elements are round profiles and including two of said roundprofiles which are connected by a strip-shaped intermediate portion. 13.A monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein both the releasablecontainer part and a side wall of the container are doubly bent forminga connecting surface and a side surface respectively and a flank surfaceand an abutment strip adjoining said connecting surface and sidesurface, wherein the flank surface and the side surface delimit thecavity at a spacing relative to each other.
 14. A monitoring systemaccording to claim 1, wherein at least one sealing element is disposedin the cavity between parallel surfaces of the releasable container partand an associated portion of the container, thereby forming two surfacesand at least one groove, and said cavity is closed by one of thereleasable part and associated portion, respectively, which span oversaid groove, thereby forming the sealed cavity.
 15. A monitoring systemaccording to claim 14, wherein said sealing element has a longitudinalaxis and extending laterally of the longitudinal axis of the sealingelement in at least one of said surfaces is at least one of said grooveswhich communicate with a second corresponding groove through at leastone opening.
 16. A monitoring system according to claim 14, including amutually separated pair of grooves with a common cross-sectional axis,wherein said grooves of the pair are separated from each other by anarrow intermediate bottom of the sealing strip portion.
 17. Amonitoring system according to claim 14, wherein a mutually separatedpair of grooves have parallel cross-sectional axes which are displacedrelative to each other.
 18. A monitoring system according to claim 16,wherein the pair of grooves is provided outside a cross-sectional centerof the sealing element.
 19. A monitoring system according to claim 14,wherein the bottom width of said groove is of trapezoidal cross-sectionand approximately corresponds to between a tenth and a quarter of thewidth of the sealing element.
 20. A monitoring system according to claim14, wherein the sealing elements have a longitudinal axis and screwelements pass through the sealing elements on the longitudinal axisoutside of the grooves.
 21. A monitoring system according to claim 14,including a groove formed into each surface of the sealing element whichoccupies almost the entire width thereof, and shaped portions projectingfrom the groove bottom at openings for screw bolts or studs, whichshaped portions in terms of cross-section with the groove walls delimitgroove passages prolonging the groove in parallel relationship with thelongitudinal axis of the sealing element.
 22. A monitoring systemaccording to claim 21, wherein the surfaces of the shaped portions arealigned with the surface of a sealing element.
 23. A monitoring systemaccording to claim 1, wherein two grooves of a sealing element arecommunicated with each other through an opening, wherein the openingcommunicating the two grooves is provided between two shaped portionsnear a groove wall.
 24. A monitoring system according to claim 1,including a bore in an associated part opening into a groove in asealing element.
 25. A monitoring system according to claim 15, whereinassociated with at least one of the openings in the sealing element is abore in the associated part which delimits the container.
 26. Amonitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the sealing elementscomprise two round profiles connected by a web having sides, and saidcavity is associated with sides of the web, wherein the round profilesare in the form of hollow profiles with an intermediate web formedthereon.
 27. A monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein anadhesive extends between two sealing elements forming an adhesive zone,wherein the sealing elements bear against each other at their ends, andan opening communicating with both sealing elements is disposed in theadhesive zone.
 28. A monitoring system according to claim 27, whereinthe opening extends in the region of a pair of grooves with a commoncentral axis.
 29. A monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein saidparts are pan parts which partially overlap each other, and the at leastone cavity is arranged in the overlap region.
 30. A monitoring systemaccording to claim 1, wherein a sealing element has one of a continuousgroove-like opening, a series of polygonal openings, and round openings,and wherein said sealing element is inserted between two mutuallyassociated plate-like parts, and at least one channel-like bottom beador ridge of the plate like part is associated with said openings,wherein said channel-like element opens into said openings.
 31. Amonitoring system according to claim 30, wherein said opening in thesealing element has an intermediate insert extending therethrough.
 32. Amonitoring system according to claim 1, including a plate-like sealingdisk with at least one annular groove, wherein the sealing element has acentral opening.
 33. A monitoring system according to claim 1, includinga plate-like sealing disk with a ring-like arrangement of round orpolygonal openings, wherein the sealing element has a central opening.34. A monitoring system according to claim 32, including at least twoperipherally extending grooves in said sealing elements which areinterrupted at at least one location to form a test space.
 35. Amonitoring system according to claim 34, wherein each groove has anoutwardly disposed part-circular portion, an inwardly disposedpart-circular portion of shorter radius, and an inclined portionconnecting an end of each of the part-circular portions.
 36. Amonitoring system according to claim 34, wherein each groove has twopart circular portions with an angle at the center of about 160° and aninclined portion, wherein two adjacent ends of the grooves are at aspacing relative to each other and on both sides of said inclinedportions.
 37. A monitoring system according to claim 32, whereinassociated with the sealing disk at least on one side thereof at leastone of a flange having a hollow profile, at least one plate, and aplate-like surface.
 38. A monitoring system according to claim 32,wherein the central opening of the sealing disk and said plate isassembled by a two-part, nut-like insert, wherein a part of the nut-likeinsert engages with a screwthreaded collar into a screwthreaded nutdefined by a screwthreaded collar.
 39. A monitoring system according toclaim 14, wherein said containers are catch pans with catch areastherein, of which one engages with a collar portion of channel-shapedcross-sectional configuration over a profile edge of the other catchpan, and the sealing element with said cavity is provided between twoend portions of a catch pan.
 40. A monitoring system according to claim1, wherein said containers are catch pans with catch areas therein,including a run-in surface connected to enlarge a catch area, whereinthe run-in surface is fitted onto a container edge with an angle ofinclination.
 41. A monitoring system according to claim 40, wherein therun-in surface is provided outside the container edge with a side edgeand at the container edge with an end angle portion.
 42. A monitoringsystem according to claim 40, including at least one support profilebetween the run-in surface and the wall of the catch container.
 43. Amonitoring system according to claim 41, including at least one supportprofile between the run-in surface and the wall of the catch container.